The Double Face of Digitalization: Individual Privacy Versus Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration

With the pervasive integration of digital technologies into all aspects of life, a profound transformation has emerged across individual, social, institutional, and economic domains. Alongside this digital transformation, issues related to the collection, storage, and processing of personal and institutional data have gained increasing significance. While this development raises concerns regarding individuals’ privacy rights, it simultaneously creates new opportunities for enhancing transparency and accountability within public administration. This study examines the concepts of individual privacy, digital surveillance, transparency, and accountability, discussing the broader implications of digitalization for public administration. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study emphasizes the necessity of protecting personal data, enforcing robust data protection laws, improving security standards, and promoting participatory approaches within public institutions. Although the process of digitalization presents opportunities to strengthen democratization, it also poses serious threats to individual rights if used without adequate regulation. In conclusion, the dual nature of digitalization underscores the need to balance the protection of individual privacy with the principles of transparency and accountability in modern public administration.